The 50-house light display on Wallace Lane and Ashby Avenue in Des Moines has been a hit for decades. Beaverdale residents say the light display has been wowing Iowans since World War II.

The 50-house light display on Wallace Lane and Ashby Avenue in Des Moines has been a hit for decades. Beaverdale residents say the light display has been wowing Iowans since World War II.

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Updated: 5:24 PM CST Dec 28, 2014

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WEBVTT neighborhood... as it has for decades. KCCI's Steffani Nolte shows you the light display that attracts thousands from all over the metro. <COVER 10:56 OH IT'S BEAUTIFUL..REA LLY NICE.> For years, neighbors on Wallace and Ashby in Des Moines have come together to share the spirit of Christmas. <JOAN THORUP 20:14 "WELL I DON'T KNOW ITS KIND OF A NEIGHBORHOOD THING. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONE THAT DOESN'T DO IT."> As the story goes people have been lighting up Beaverdale since World War Two. <JOAN THORUP 18:45 "OUR MEN AND WOMEN WERE FIGHTING ALL OVER THE WORLD, THEY DECIDED TO LIGHT UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO PROVIDE SOME LIGHT IN THE WORLD AT A VERY DARK TIME."> From the north star welcoming thousands of visitors... To Santa peeking out of his house, even on Christmas day. <SARAH BORZO 17:08 "I THINK ITS AMAZING AND THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IS SO EVIDENT ALL OVER THE PLACE."> <STEFFANI 25:28 "IT'S KIND OF AN UNSPOKEN RULE, IF YOU MOVE ON TO WALLACE OR ASHBY YOU HAVE TO DECORATE AT CHRISTMAS."> <JOAN THORUP 19:14 "AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IF THEY MOVE OUT LEAVE THEIR DECORATIONS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT COME LATER."> Five years ago, Pat Merrick and his family joined the tradition. <PAT MERRICK 5:35 "I KNEW MOVING HERE THEY HAD CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS. I DIDN'T KNOW I'D HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT."> Now, Elves use his yard to collect letters for Santa... Even if they are a day late. <PAT MERRICK 7:03 "WE SEE PEOPLE AND THEY LOVE TO SHOUT OUT HOLIDAY GREETINGS AND WE LOVE TO RETURN THEM. IT'S A LOT OF FUN."> The spirit of Christmas, kept alive by all of the neighbors on Wallace and Ashby. Steffani Nolte, KCCI 8 News, Iowa's News Leader. Typically, the 50 homes on Typically, the 50 homes on Wallace and Ashby keep their lights up through New Year's Eve.

Christmas light display attracts thousands from the metro

The 50-house light display on Wallace Lane and Ashby Avenue in Des Moines has been a hit for decades. Beaverdale residents say the light display has been wowing Iowans since World War II.